Each year, the Friendship Force International (FFI) Board of Directors undertakes the important task of selecting new members to replace those whose terms have concluded. This responsibility falls to the Nominating Committee, which was chaired this past year by myself, Thiago Fabio, along with committee members Christiane Beaupré and Ken Weaver. The selection process, which began in the spring, garnered many applications from passionate and qualified individuals eager to fill the two open seats and contribute to our governing body. We are grateful to everyone who expressed interest, and we extend our appreciation for your enthusiasm and commitment.
After careful consideration, we are pleased to introduce the newest members of our Board: Stephanie Freier and Tavia Sorrell.
Stephanie Freier
Stephanie Freier, from FF Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, brings a legacy of inspiration from her grandparents, who were members of FFI in the 1990s. As a skilled engineering leader, she excels in managing complex projects and operations, with a proven track record of launching innovative products that drive revenue growth. Stephanie’s notable achievements include implementing lean techniques that realized $1.5 million in savings, and managing major projects with esteemed organizations like NASA and Rockwell Collins, showcasing her technical expertise and leadership.
Tavia Sorrell
Tavia Sorrell, from FF Birmingham, Alabama, USA, possesses extensive experience in educational administration and technology leadership. She dedicated over 15 years to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she coordinated essential functions for the School of Medicine such as residency rotations, evaluations, and onboarding for new residents. Tavia’s adeptness in implementing innovative solutions and collaborating with varied stakeholders has been instrumental in advancing educational and professional development initiatives within large organizations.
We warmly welcome Stephanie and Tavia to the Board, and wish them a positive and enjoyable time as they serve with us these next few years.
We also want to take a moment to express our gratitude to Christiane Beaupré of Montreal, Canada, whose term on the Board has now ended. A former Board Chair who joined in 2019, Christiane became Treasurer during the pandemic and ably steered the organization through extremely difficult times. She later initiated the Strategic Plan to guide our future.Her strong leadership inspired the entire board, and her presence and friendship will be missed.
Lastly, we are pleased to announce the approved slate of officers for 2025:
– Donna Simek, FF Greater Boston, USA – Chair
– Andrew Kelly, FF Greater Manchester, UK – Vice Chair
– Robert Wagner, FF Bavaria Nürnberg-Erlangen e.V., Germany – Treasurer
– Ken Weaver, FF Northern Colorado, USA – Secretary
– Jon Wagner, FF Lake Simcoe, Canada – Special Advisor to the Board
Thank you for being an integral part of our community. We look forward to another year of collaboration, growth, and shared experiences.